Conference moments: Spirit of conference
E-mail story
It's easy. Send a link to the story you were just reading to a friend. Just fill out the form on this page and we'll send it along.
Your name and e-mail address are transmitted to the recipient. Otherwise, it is considered private information; see Privacy policy.
Rob Spencer watched general conference live for the first time in more than 20 years. Brother Spencer, who was born and raised in the United States, is one of the many saints living in Zimbabwe who were able to watch general conference live via satellite for the first time in that nation.
"And to think that I was watching conference at exactly the same time my parents were in Colorado," said Brother Spencer, currently serving as Harare Zimbabwe Stake Young Men president.
For many years, general conference broadcasts were long delayed because the satellite footprint setup does not cover Zimbabwe. It was discovered that Zimbabwe could receive a very clear signal of BYUTV, making it a possibility to watch the prophet speak live.
In response to this discovery, a facilities management team in the area quickly got to work and installed six satellite receivers throughout the country.
"I felt like we were going to fail," said Denny Tambowoneyi, a member of the facilities management group and elders quorum president in the Mabelreign Branch, Harare Zimbabwe Stake. "In some areas there was no signal when we tested. In other areas the power was out so we had to take generators. But by Saturday we were ready for the broadcast."
Members rejoiced and tears of joy filled their eyes as Saints gathered to designated meetinghouses to listen to President Thomas S. Monson speak live to the worldwide Church.
Not only did members benefit from the broadcast, many of their friends, neighbors and others enjoyed listening to conference as well.
Givemore Chizema and his wife, who are not members of the Church, attended all of the conference broadcasts. During the first session, Mr. Chizema said he felt like "every single prophet was speaking directly to me."
For many of the members, discovering the capability to watch the conference live along with the rest of the world was another testament of how much Heavenly Father cares for His children, no matter where they are located.
"As we drove home from the very first session of conference, my wife and I were completely uplifted and inspired," Brother Tambowoneyi said.
Brother Tambowneyi watched every session of general conference, including the Sunday afternoon session that was broadcast at 10 p.m. local Zimbabwe time. Despite the late hour, Brother Tambowoneyi enjoyed every moment of conference.
"I didn't feel tired at all," he said. "The spirit of conference was overwhelming."
— Information from Zimbabwe Harare Mission
